Sunday, September 29, 2013

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 28 September

28.09.2013
South Africa 28, Australia 8 in Capetown (Rugby Championship; Mandela Cup)
New Zealand 33, Argentina 15 in La Plata (Rugby Championship)
Finland 35, Greece 20 in Turku (ENC 2D)
Estonia 24,Finland ‘A’ 17 in Turku (Friendly)

Briefly
For South Africa to win the 2013 Rugby Championship they need to defeat New Zealand in Johannesburg next Saturday and score a bonus point. New Zealand need a win or a draw.

New Zealand’s bonus point win over Argentina has placed them in a good position to retain the Rugby Championship. Australia’s loss to South Africa will mean they face Argentina in Rosario next weekend to avoid the competition ‘Wooden Spoon’.

Finland dragged itself off the bottom of ENC 2D with a bonus point win over the visiting Greek side in Turku up the road from Helsinki.

Estonia announced it is ready for their entry into the ENC competition defeating Finland ‘A’ also in Turku.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

NEW ZEALAND v ARGENTINA: Rugby Championship

28.09.2013

Venue: Estadio Ciudad de La Plata

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Preview
South Africa only has to drop a bonus point and New Zealand win with a bonus point and the Championship belongs to the Kiwis.

New Zealand will have to work hard to overcome Argentina at home. Argentina has proven a difficult time to win up front, their performance at home against South Africa and the Hamilton test against New Zealand proved that their scrum can dominate a game.

Graham Henry has been in an advisory capacity with Argentina. He told them if they can attack with the passion with which they defend they will be unbeatable. And this is where Argentina has been lacking. Despite an attacking player like Bosch the Argies just haven’t been able to finish off moves.

Argentina will have a huge crowd behind them. I feel that their time will come next weekend against Australia at home.New Zealand plays the game at great speed with great skill. Enough said. That’s what will tell against Argentina in the end.

Last Five Encounters
07.09.2013 New Zealand 28-13 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)
29.09.2012 New Zealand 54-15 in Buenos Aires (Rugby Championship)
08.09.2012 New Zealand 21-5 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)
09.10.2011 New Zealand 33-10 in Auckland (World Cup; Quarter-Final)
24.06.2006 New Zealand 24-19 in Buenos Aires

Argentina has never defeated New Zealand.

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 5
14.09.2013 v South Africa W 29-15 in Auckland (Rugby Championship)07.09.2013 v Argentina W 28-13 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)
24.08.2013 v Australia W 27-16 in Wellington
17.08.2013 v Australia W 47-29 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)
22.06.2013 v France W 24-9 in New Plymouth

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
14.09.2013 v Australia L 13-14 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
07.09.2013 v New Zealand L 13-28 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)24.08.2013 v South Africa L 17-22 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
17.08.2013 v South Africa L 13-73 in Bloemfontein (Rugby Championship)22.06.2013 v Georgia W 29-18 in San Juan

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: New Zealand 4th, Argentina 15th

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 91.64, Argentina 76.41

Prediction: New Zealand by 20 points

TEAMS

8[1]

New Zealand

15   Israel Dagg  Hawkes Bay
14   Benjamin Smith  Otago
13   Conrad Smith Wellington
12   Ma'a Nonu  Auckland
11   Julian Savea  Wellington
10   Aaron Cruden Manawatu
9   Aaron Smith  Manawatu
8   Kieran Read (Capt.) Canterbury
7   Samuel Cane Bay of Plenty
6   Liam Messam  Waikato
5   Samuel Whitelock  Canterbury
4   Brodie Retallick  Bay of Plenty
3   Owen Franks  Canterbury
2   Andrew Hore Taranaki
1   Tony Woodcock  North Harbour
       
16   Keven Mealamu  Auckland
17   Wayne Crockett Canterbury
18   Charlie Faumuina  Auckland
19   Jeremy Thrush Wellington
20   Steven Luatua Auckland
21   Tawera Kerr-Barlow  Waikato
22   Beauden Barrett Taranaki
23   Charles Piutau Auckland
       
    HEAD COACH: Steven Hansen

13[1]

Argentina

15   Juan Martín Hernández  Racing Metro 92, France
14   Lucas González Amorosino Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
13   Marcelo Bosch  Saracens, England
12   Santiago Fernández  Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
11   Juan José Imhoff  Racing Metro, France
10   Nicolás Sánchez  Union Bordeaux Bègles, France 
9   Martin Landajo  Club Atletico San Isidro
8   Juan Manuel Leguizamón  RC Toulonnais, France
7   Pablo Matera  Asociación Alumni 
6   Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Capt.) Sale, England
5   Patricio Albacete  Stade Toulousian, France
4   Julio Farías Cabello  London Welsh, England
3   Juan Figallo  Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
2   Eusebio Guiñazú  Bath Rugby, England
1   Marcos Ayerza Leicester Tigers
       
16   Agustín Creevy  Worcester Warriors, England 
17   Nahuel Lobo  Newcastle Falcons, England
18   Juan Pablo Orlandi  Bath Rugby, England
19   Mariano Galarza  Leinster, Ireland
20   Benjamín Macome Tucuman Rugby
21   Tomás Cubelli  Belgrano Athletic
22   Felipe Contepomi  Stade Français, France
23   Horacio Agulla  Bath Rugby, England
       
    HEAD COACH: Santiago Phelan

AUSTRALIA V SOUTH AFRICA: Rugby Championship; Mandela Cup

28.09.2013

Venue: Newlands, Capetown

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Preview
A lot of media talk this week has been about Jake White and James O’Connor. Not a lot has been said about this important rugby test. Australia must win ease away from the bottom of the table whilst South Africa eyes it’s big clash with New Zealand next weekend.

It’s difficult to see Australia bouncing back from their loss to South Africa in Brisbane. In that rugby testy match South Africa dominated up front with Australia unable to win enough ball to compete. The same could well happen here in Capetown.

A one-point win over Argentina at home is all the Aussie’s have in this competition. Team spirit has been affected by the James O’Connor saga. The return of skipper James Horwell will be a much needed boost. It will be interesting to see how the Brumbies’ mid-field lineup will fare.

South Africa will have to focus hard on this game. With some attention on New Zealand next weekend the South Africa’s will have to keep their game plan and speed up to scratch. A loss on concentration by South Africa could just be what the Aussie’s are looking for.

Last Five Encounters
07.09.2013 South Africa 38-12 in Brisbane (Mandela Cup; Rugby Champ.)29.09.2012 South Africa 31-8 in Pretoria (Mandela Cup, Rugby Champ.)08.09.2012 Australia 26-19 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
09.10.2011 Australia 11-9 in Wellington (World Cup, Quarter-final)
13.08.2011 Australia 14-9 in Durban (Mandela Cup; Tri Nations)

South Africa Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
14.09.2013 v New Zealand L 15-29 in Auckland (Rugby Championship)07.09.2013 v Australia W 38-12 in Brisabne (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)24.08.2013 v Argentina W 22-17 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
17.08.2013 v Argentina W 73-13 in Bloemfontein (Rugby Championship)22.06.2013 v Samoa W 56-23 in Pretoria (Quadrangular Tournament)

Australia Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4

14.09.2013 v Argentina W 14-13 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
07.09.2013 v South Africa L 12-38 in Brisbane (Rugby Championship)24.08.2013 v New Zealand L 16-27 in Wellington (Rugby Champ.Bled. Cup)
17.08.2013 v New Zealand L 29-47 in Sydney (Rugby Champ. Bled. Cup)06.07.2013 v British and Irish Lions L 16-41 in Sydney

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: South Africa 6th, Australia 11th

IRB Ranking Points
South Africa 88.94, Australia 83.67

Prediction: South Africa by 19 points

TEAMS

34[1]

South Africa

15   Zane Kirchner Leinster, Ireland
14   Willie le Roux  Griqualand West
13   JJ Engelbrecht  Blue Bulls
12   Jean de Villiers (capt.)  Western Province 
11   Bryan Habana  RC Toulonnais, France
10   Morne Steyn  Blue Bulls
9   Fourie du Preez Suntory, Japan
8   Duane Vermeulen  Western Province 
7   Willem Alberts  Natal Sharks
6   Francoise Louw  Bath, England
5   Flip van der Merwe  Blue Bulls
4   Eben Etzebeth  Western Province 
3   Jannie du Plessis  Natal Sharks
2   Adriaan Strauss  Free State Cheetahs
1   Tendai Mtawarira  Natal Sharks
       
16   Bismarck du Plessis  Natal Sharks
17   Gurthrö Steenkamp  Stade Toulousain, France
18   Coenie Oosthuizen  Free State Cheetahs
19   Juandré Kruger  Racing Metro 92, France
20   Siya Kolisi  Western Province
21   Ruan Pienaar  Ulster, Ireland
22   Patrick Lambie  Natal Sharks
23   Jan Serfontein  Blue Bulls
       
    HEAD COACH: Heyneke Meyer

7[1]
Australia

15   Israel Folau  NSW Waratahs
14   Adam Ashley-Cooper  NSW Waratahs
13   Tevita Kuridrani ACT Brumbies
12   Christian Leali’ifano  ACT Brumbies
11   Joseph Tomane ACT Brumbies
10   Quade Cooper  Queensland Reds
9   Nicholas White  ACT Brumbies
8   Benjamin Mowen  ACT Brumbies
7   Michael Hooper  NSW Waratahs
6   Scott Fardy  ACT Brumbies
5   James Horwell (Capt.) Queensland Reds
4   Robert Simmons Queensland Reds
3   Benjamin Alexander  ACT Brumbies
2   Stephan Moore  ACT Brumbies
1   James Slipper  Queensland Reds
       
16   Saia Fainga’a  Queensland Reds
17   Benn Robinson  NSW Waratahs
18   Sekope Kepu  NSW Waratahs
19   Sitaleki Timani NSW Waratahs
20   Benjamin McCalman WA Western Force
21   William Genia  Queensland Reds
22   Matthew Toomua  ACT Brumbies
23   Christopher Feauai-Sautia Queensland Reds
       
    HEAD COACH: Ewan MacKenzie

If he comes off the bench Feauai-Sautia will make his test debut.